VietNamNet Bridge – From now until 2015, Hanoi will restrict cabs in the downtown through halting the establishment of new taxi firms or allowing a certain number of taxis offering services in this area.


Hanoi authorities on April 18 discussed the draft plan on management of taxi services in 2012-2015 and the vision to 2030.

According to the local Transportation Department, taxis are not as effective as other means of public transport like buses, subway or bus rapid transit (BRT), but it is more convenient and effective than personal vehicles. For that reason, Hanoi will not encourage developing taxis but will allow the suitable development of this service.

The department suggested seven groups of measures to control taxi service from now to 2020. From now to 2015, taxis will be restricted in the city’s hub through fees, halting the establishment of new taxi firms and organizing bids to choose taxi service providers that are allowed to run in the downtown.

By 2015, all cabs will be re-registered and re-painted in the same style, have invoice printers and use invoice forms provided by the Finance Ministry.

The city expects that these measures will help maintain the total number of cabs at 21,000 in 2015 and 26,000 in 2020, with around 10,000 and 12,500 cabs operating in the downtown, respectively.

Hanoi’s Vice Chair Nguyen Van Khoi asked the Transportation Department to finalize the plan to submit to the Hanoi Party Committee in early May.

Na Son